I'm just going to preface this by saying that I really like this show. I liked it when it started and had nothing to do with infertility. I like it because Giuliana is TOTALLY oblivious as to the real world and doesn't seem to care and I've liked Bill since he was on the Apprentice (season 1 winner). It's a good stress reliever show for me, because some of the things they talk about are just SO out there in fantasy land and have not much to do with the real world. As in Giuliana doing actupuncture to help her be able to ride in a plane Bill is flying. Who does things like that?
ANYWAY...
I've watched every episode of this show. This is the second season (I think). And while Giuliana is a bit ditsy and OBVIOUSLY doesn't have any grasp of what the real world is like they are going through the beginnings of infertility. I must admit that if people were filming me the first 8 months of TTC in my marriage where infertility wasn't a KNOW fact I would be a little naive at the same time.
Does she say the right things? NO! But did you at the beginning of infertility? Absolutely not.
Do they seek out advice from friends going through infertility and TOTALLY mess it up on camera? YES But were you perfect about talking to people you thought might be experiencing it at the very beginning of your own infertility experience? I know I wasn't!
I feel badly for them doing this ad. Can you imagine how you would feel put in that situation?
I mean these shows are shot months before they are aired, so how long ago did they find out they were going to have trouble TTC? They aren't pregnant yet, so this struggle is real. Just because they can right off the bat decided adoption/IVF or whatever else they decide because they have the money, doesn't make it hurt any less, I'm ALMOST postive of that.
I know what my first reation to Mel's post was. It was very similar to her's and countless other commenters. However, after thinking about it and talking about it with my husband I felt bad for them. I felt badly that they had to go through that photo shoot and have their troubles concieving exploited for television advertisment purposes.
So while what I think doesn't really matter, I truly hope that their TTC/IF journey is short. I know mine hasn't been AT ALL and I don't wish it on anyone. Despite where they live, what their job is, how much money they have, or how advertising for their TV show is portrayed.
8 comments:
I agree with you completely. I actually really love the show. Yes, the ad is a bit of a slap in the face, but you're right...they had to shoot it far ahead of time and maybe didn't know the struggle they'd come into.
I think that we, as an IF community, should be grateful that they're putting a face to infertility. Like you said, they're still not pg. They've been trying for close to a year, and while that's not the longest amount of time, I remember when we hit our year mark and it seemed like an eternity. (Now, 3 1/2 years in, a year seems like the blink of an eye!)
Either way, I'm glad that they're sharing their journey. Plus they make me laugh, and I love how sweet he is, and that she's so out of touch with reality. I love it all almost as much as I love Tori and Dean!
I think part of the problem people in the IF community have with the show is about Giuliana. She is ditzy and so if you don't know her, you would think IF is stupid and something to make fun of. But that is what the show was like before the topic turned to their IF. I'm not going to judge them and say they have "only" been at this for 8 months or are not saying/doing the "right" things b/c we each have our own journey. I'm glad this is bringing attention to the issue and I find that they are so open about it refreshing. I wish IF was not something we had to discuss in whispers.
Totally agree. I can't even imagine having to shoot an ad like that. It just goes to show that those that aren't TTC and navigating through the land of IF have absolutely no idea how it feels and the heartache that comes with it. I recently heard about this show from another blogger and set it up to TiVo last night! Can't wait to start watching it. Wishing them (and you!) the best :)
im going to echo what was said above. ANY celebrity actually admitting they have an issue conceiving is great by me. i would LOVE it if people took more of an interest or knew more than they think they do. "take a vacation, just relax, adopt and then it will work," etc.
unfortunately with this dumb country, people only care after 'it' happens to someone of note.
I love that show. Guiliana is out there sometimes but I think their relationship is real and I love watching it. That ad definitely wasn't done by someone with fertility issues.
I'm a first time visitor to your blog! I followed you and am looking forward to reading about your journey.
Thanks for commenting on my blog! I haven't been able to catch the show but I agree with you. I've seen Giuliana's reporting and she does seem ditzy albeit in kind of a charming way. I find it refreshing that finally there's more celeb-types being honest about the TTC struggle. The ones who have twins in their 40's and then claim that they were naturally conceived drive me insane.
I have been hearing so much about this show, can't watch because I don't have cable. Wonder if its on hulu.
Just stumbled across your blog thru ICLW. I like you resolution of ending with less debt than you started, I am going to adopt that one too.
I don't know the show or the reality stars, so I can't comment on that. Just that ad. Damn--I was flipping through a magazine, went past it, and then had to go back because I couldn't believe the tag line. I feel terrible for the couple that they were asked to pose like that. And I feel cranky at the couple that they agreed.
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